Irvine Comes Close but Falls Once Again

It was a game UC Irvine shouldn’t win, but might have won. Instead, the host Anteaters lost for the sixth time in seven games, falling to Utah State, 60-51, on Thursday night.

The Aggies, clinging to a 44-43 lead with 7 minutes 45 seconds left, went on an 8-2 run, ending with Neal Geddes’ three-point basket with five minutes left. Irvine (7-14, 4-7) got as close as 52-49, but the Aggies’ defense smothered the Anteaters in the last two minutes.

Marcus Saxon scored 18 points to lead Utah State (19-5, 10-1). Adam Stetson scored 15 points for Irvine, but fouled out with 7:34 left.

The Aggies’ inside game proved to be too strong, as guard Kevin Rice (13 points) and center Donnie Johnson (12 points) scored inside and Utah State had a 36-29 rebound advantage.